Chapter 9: Cookies

The next day, after arriving at school and setting my belongings on my desk, I hurried out of the classroom before Takahiro arrived. The reason was simple—I had a sudden, belated suspicion that I might have brought too many cream puffs. There were sixteen in total. I might have gotten carried away while making them.

Even if Takamiyagi-senpai, Kaimori-chan, Takahiro, and I split them evenly, that would still be four each. And if I ended up not being able to eat dinner again, I’d feel bad for Mother. It would be better to reduce the number now.

So, I decided to secretly eat some cream puffs in the bushes of the courtyard. Inside the thick shrubbery, there was actually a tunnel-like space—perfect for staying out of sight. It also happened to be the secret base of a certain heroine, but that aside… I wonder if these cream puffs will meet senpai’s standards.

The moment I took a bite, I heard someone’s voice. It was quiet, as if trying to avoid being overheard. Curious, I listened more closely. Someone in the courtyard was talking to someone else…? And somehow, the voice sounded familiar.

"Ryūzōji-senpai, thank you for coming."

"It’s fine, I guess… what is it?"

With a cream puff still in my mouth, I rustled through the bushes.

…And there they were—Takahiro and Kaimori-chan, whispering together at the edge of the courtyard, clearly trying to avoid attention…!?

Oh—this… could it be a confession? Good for you, Takahiro! And congratulations, Kaimori-chan! If I were in my original body, I’d toss them both into the air in celebration—even if I had to do it alone. But in my current Shione-chan form, I’d just get crushed. Still, no worries. In my heart, they’re being hoisted up to second-floor height with cheers.

…But judging from the lines, it was Kaimori-chan who called him out. That’s a little surprising. Or maybe not. I mean, she did say, “I love you,” after all. I’ve only ever heard lines like that in the language of flowers.

Now then, what kind of wonderful confession line will this romantic Kaimori-chan deliver? I’m excited.

"Classes are about to start. If this is going to take long, can you make it later? I’m honestly not that free."

"It’s about Shione-senpai."

…Let’s set Takahiro aside for now. The real issue is you, Kaimori-chan. What’s going on? Do you really need to bring my name into a confession? Ah—could it be something like, “Forget about that girl and look at me!”? If so, that’s wonderfully passionate.

As I secretly watched, Kaimori-chan continued speaking without being discouraged by Takahiro’s cold response. As expected of the girl with the strongest willpower in the game.

"…Does Shione-senpai have some kind of… strange power or something?"

"You mean, like, she’s so cute it’s unnatural…?"

Wait—this isn’t a confession. And somehow, I’ve been saddled with a very strange suspicion.

Apparently, Takahiro’s answer was off the mark, as Kaimori-chan shook her head vigorously and began scratching at her head.

Ah, there it is again. I saw that yesterday too. At that rate, she’s going to go bald… Though the question I once had about her has now been answered. No wonder even her keepsake pendant went flying.

After stomping a few times and breathing heavily, Kaimori-chan placed a hand on her chest and steadied herself.

"…Ah, right. Sorry. I asked that wrong. I mean something supernatural… like seeing through everything, or knowing someone’s entire past. Since you’re her childhood friend, Ryūzōji-senpai, I thought you might have seen something like that more than anyone."

"…Kaimori… are you okay in the head?"

…Takahiro. That’s the kind of thing you should never say out loud, even if you think it. Especially if you’re the protagonist of a dating sim. And Kaimori-chan, you should only say lines like that when you’re alone in your room. In a way, maybe these two are a good match after all.

"…Wait. Come to think of it… that was strange…"

At the first half of his sentence, Kaimori-chan stomped hard—thud!—but froze when she heard the second half. Both her hands were clenched into fists. If he hadn’t continued, who knows what might have happened.

"Come to think of it? Ryūzōji-senpai, did something come to mind?"

"Whenever I had a bad day, she’d always make my favorite food. Until recently."

Hearing that, Kaimori-chan made a complicated face—like when you think you’re drinking barley tea but it turns out to be noodle soup base.

"No, not that kind of thing… something more…"

"But it’s true. Whenever I fought with friends or got scolded by a teacher, if I went to Shione’s house, she’d always have homemade cookies ready. She wouldn’t ask me anything, but she’d smile like she understood everything."

"That’s… a nice story. Actually, isn’t this just you bragging? Very one-sidedly… This is bad—the contrast with what Shione-senpai said yesterday is way too intense…"

Takahiro spoke nostalgically, as if recalling fond memories, while Kaimori-chan nodded stiffly. From the outside, they didn’t look like they were discussing the same topic at all. Though technically, they were talking about me.

…Well, I did say “you disgust me” yesterday. No wonder it’s rough.

Still, Kaimori-chan forced a smile and continued.

"…I-I see… but Shione-senpai sounds like a really nice person."

"You called me out just to confirm something so obvious? …Well, fine."

"Ugh… um… then… if—just hypothetically—Shione-senpai said she ‘hates’ you, what would you do?"

"I’d die."

"…You’d die?"

"I’d cut my stomach open and die. Cleanly."

"Oh… so you match on that too."

"Match?"

"Never mind."

…Didn’t Takahiro just say something seriously dangerous? Die? If you don’t end up with the heroine, everyone becomes unhappy—and if you die, what happens then? That sounds like the end of the world. I really need to get him to switch to another heroine as soon as possible…

I watched the two of them head back toward the school building from within the bushes. Then I took another bite of a cream puff.

…Oh. It’s good. Just the right level of sweetness. This should be fine for lunch too…

"…These cream puffs are seriously delicious!"

"Senpai, how do they taste?"

"Not bad."

Oh. That means “no flaws.” In other words, the highest praise coming from senpai. I’ve already received her three-star rating. Back in the game, I only got that in the latter half of the story… Maybe I’ve improved.

"Senpai, what about lunch?"

"This."

She placed a bottle of water on the table. She has no real interest in food other than sweets… That’s probably why she’s so thin. Though she’s the strongest in arm wrestling out of all the characters. What kind of logic is that? Is sugar stronger than protein in this world?

"It’s not overly sweet, but it still has richness. The balance is exquisite. True craftsmanship."

"It must have been tough making thirteen of these."

Right. Since they turned out better than expected, I ate three this morning. So I only get one at lunch… Honestly, I’m good on cream puffs for a while.

"No, Kaimori-chan did most of the work. This time, it’s Kaimori-chan featuring me."

"So you’re praising yourself, Kaimori…"

She glanced sideways at her, and Kaimori-chan panicked, waving her hands.

"No, that’s not—! Shione-senpai made almost everything, didn’t she!?"

"But the whipped cream you mixed is basically the heart of a cream puff, right? Without cream, it’s just crunchy air."

"That’s clearly not true."

"But I get the feeling of disappointment when there’s nothing inside."

…Hmm. Watching them talk, I can tell—just as I suspected—Kaimori-chan and Takamiyagi-senpai get along well. Kaimori-chan talks a lot without fear, while senpai occasionally adds brief comments. I also talk quite a bit, so senpai’s quietness doesn’t bother me.

Alright, now it’s up to you, Takahiro. Try to appeal naturally through conversation.

Receiving my signal, Takahiro nodded firmly and turned to Takamiyagi-senpai with a smile.

"Is just water enough for you, Takamiyagi-senpai? His lunch is really good, you know. Want a bite?"

"Why are you recommending someone else’s food on their behalf?"

Oof… I mean, I was the one who nudged him, but wow—that went down in flames… Still, if you were going to say something, Takahiro, you should have done it sooner. Why bring it up right when senpai has already moved on to dessert?

Anyway, I need to reset this awkward, gloomy atmosphere. I quickly changed the subject.

"Right! Tomorrow, I’ll bring one of your favorite side dishes, senpai. Look forward to it."

By the way, her favorite is kinpira gobo.

Just then, I felt a gaze from the side and turned to look. Kaimori-chan was staring intently at me.

…What? …Ah, right, it would be unnatural if I didn’t ask her favorite. I shouldn’t already know it. Wait—did I even ask Kaimori-chan properly before?

Ahh! So that’s what this morning was about? Since I knew her favorite, she thought I could see through everything? But if that’s the case, Kaimori-chan’s reasoning is a bit too wild. Sure, you could say my knowledge of the original story lets me “see through everything” in a way, but even then, I don’t know the smaller details that weren’t in the game. Heh… but if that’s the issue, then clearing suspicion is easy.

"…By the way, senpai, what do you like?"

"Kinpira."

"Then that’s what I’ll bring tomorrow! I’ll be waiting here again!"

With that, Kaimori-chan’s suspicion was successfully avoided. And nice pass, Takahiro. Thanks to your half self-destructive assist, we’ve secured senpai’s presence for tomorrow. …Though there’s one problem. You’re supposed to be the one taking the shot, not just passing. We’ll review that later.

"By the way, about earlier… there were thirteen cream puffs in total, right? Then why did Shione-senpai only get one? …You gave four each to the three of us, so I thought there were more left in the bag… I already ate all four, though…"

"I noticed from the start. I secretly peeked into the bag."

"Then you should’ve said something right then! …I’m sorry!"

"Fairness that leaves you at a loss isn’t good."

It came out naturally that I had only eaten one cream puff, and both senpai and Kaimori-chan sent me looks of concern and apology. Honestly, making such a fuss over just three cream puffs feels a bit much—but more importantly, I wasn’t even holding back. I should clear that up.

"Um… no, I already ate four too…"

"That was clearly your first one."

"I ate them this morning."

"Oh really…? Shione-senpai, who usually eats so little, had that much in the morning? How unusually hungry of you."

"I had three."

"That’s a bit hard to believe."

It seemed the two girls weren’t fully convinced by the truth I was telling. At this point, my only ally is the fellow guy here. I’m counting on you, Takahiro.

Catching my glance, Takahiro gave a firm nod, as if to say, “Leave it to me.” Oh, he gets it. At this moment, you’re reliable.

"Come to think of it, Shione did say yesterday that she prefers feeding others over eating herself."

…Is that really helping? Still, the fact that he remembered what I said yesterday—that alone earns you 100 points. It really does… but did you have to start with “come to think of it”? Still, weak support or not, I have to go with it.

"Y-Yeah, that’s right! As expected of you, Takahiro-kun! You really get me!"

Now then… how will this play out? I secretly glanced at senpai and Kaimori-chan to read their reactions.

Both of them were staring at Takahiro the way you’d look at a single dropped work glove lying on the ground.

…Wait, sorry—what kind of emotion is that…? It definitely doesn’t seem like a good impression. That was clearly the kind of look you give an inanimate object.

I clapped my hands lightly, putting on an “I’ve got a great idea” expression.

…Please! Let the mood shift somehow!

"Right! Since today was senpai’s favorite cream puffs, tomorrow I’ll make a snack that either Kaimori-chan or Takahiro-kun likes!"

"Oh, really? Then Ryūzōji-senpai, go ahead. I got cheesecake yesterday."

"Tomorrow, right? Then Kaimori can go first. I’ll take the day after."

For a moment, I doubted my ears at what he just said. It wasn’t just me—Kaimori-chan also looked flustered, glancing back and forth between Takahiro and me.

…That’s it, Takahiro! That’s what I’ve been waiting for! You can take the shot after all! But what happened all of a sudden? Did you hit your head?

Meanwhile, unlike me and Kaimori-chan, who were both flustered, Takamiyagi-senpai remained as composed as ever.

"What are you plotting?"

…Actually, senpai might be a bit confused too. Takahiro frowned slightly.

"I already told you. It takes two days."

"In other words?"

"My favorite is cookies. But Shione’s recipe needs the dough to rest in the fridge for a long time. So it won’t be ready by tomorrow lunchtime."

"…I see. That makes sense."

Now that he mentions it, Takahiro did say that in the courtyard. The cookies she would always make for him when he had a bad day. I wonder… doesn’t eating those ever remind him of those sad moments?

"…Huh?"

A stunned murmur reached my ears. I turned around—it was Kaimori-chan.

…Her complexion looked bad. She looked down, then up again. And then, with wide, startled eyes, she stared at me.

"…Two days…?"